John Hefferon MD
2 min read • October 20, 2022
Posted in
The Bulls’ versatile point guard underwent his second left knee surgery since suffering a torn meniscus and bone bruise on January 14 but still has no timetable for a return.
According to the Pro Basketball Docs one potential explanation for Ball’s extended absence is that he has suffered significant articular cartilage damage stemming from the bone bruise. This cartilage damage can take a long time to heal – if it does at all – and cause arthritis and would have stalled not only his rehab but the timing of his surgery.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old will miss the first few months of the season at least as he rehabs his surgery and bone bruise, conditions after nearly a year away, and regains trust in his knee.
The Celtics’ recently-signed all-defensive center, Robert Williams III, underwent his second left knee surgery in the last six months in mid-September and is now reportedly expected to be out until the second half of the season after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection this week.
The Pro Basketball Docs have concern that Williams III has shown repeated signs of early osteoarthritis (aka wear-and-tear arthritis) that will cause chronic issues and frequent absences through the rest of his career.
For this season the Celtics – who have the second-best odds to win the NBA championship on FanDuel Sportsbook at +600 – will likely be extra-cautious working their center back into the fold.
The 25-year-old suffered a torn left meniscus, underwent surgery, and suffered a left knee bone bruise from Giannis Antetokuonmpo’s incoming knee within six weeks last Spring and reportedly dealt with significant and recurring swelling and soreness during the Finals run.
Williams III played a career-high 61 games and averaged career-bests with 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes.
Shams Charania reported that Bucks’ all-star forward Khris Middleton will miss the first few weeks of the season to continue rehabbing from the left wrist surgery he underwent in July and Jamal Collier reported the recovery will keep him out for weeks not months.
The Docs were always skeptical Middleton would be available for the season-opener but the 31-year-old should be healed from the scapholunate ligament tear and surgery by mid-November after a four-month recovery consistent with a ligament repair.
Middleton reportedly said he suffered the wrist injury in February – and aggravated the injury at least once in the regular season – and the apparent tear may have contributed to Middleton being held out of the second-round loss to the Celtics after spraining his MCL.
Since acquiring Jrue Holiday two seasons ago, Milwaukee is 86-34 – a 59-win pace – when Giannis Antentokounmpo, Middleton, and Holiday all play, and 34-35 when one of the three sits.
The Grizzlies’ extendo-limb forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is trending towards a return in early November on the shorter end of the four-to-six month recovery timeline for his right foot Jones fracture, according to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.
The oft-injured 6’11” defensive dynamo followed up what was a breakout fourth season by suffering a fractured right foot in July and undergoing subsequent surgery.
which can be a fickle injury for big players and cause extended absences, a la Joel Embiid, Myles Turner, and Zion Williamson.
Jackson Jr. averaged 27.3 minutes per game in 2021-22 with 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a league-best 2.3 blocks in 78 games and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The 23-year-old is +2900 to win the award on FanDuel Sportsbook, the 15th-best odds just between Ben Simmons, Jarrett Allen, and Herbert Jones.
The younger Ball brother suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain on Oct. 10 and is expected to miss at least the Hornets’ season opener with no set timeline for his return.
Because it is Ball’s first ankle sprain the ligament damage and swelling are more significant and will cause a multi-week absence.
According to the Docs, the 21-year-old will likely miss at least 2-to-3 weeks overall – 5-to-8 games – and could remain out through October.
When forward Gordon Hayward went down with an ankle sprain on January 21, the Hornets were 26-20; the team went 17-19 to finish the season and Ball averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 1.6 steals on .441/.408/.864 shooting splits over the final 36 games.
FanDuel Sportsbook has Charlotte’s over/under list at 34.5 wins, with the over at +132, and LaMelo Ball is +3200 to win Most Improved Player.
Written by John Hefferon MD
